Tuesdays 7:30pm - 8:30pm

Zouk Foundations

beginner-friendly zouk classes

no partner required!

No previous dance experience necessary.

Join any time - these drop in classes are structured so new students can join any day of the month.

If you’re new to zouk, or are a longtime zouker looking to brush up on your fundamentals, this is the class for you! Students will be introduced to moves and techniques for comfortable and clear leading and/or following.

these classes emphasize…

Learning enough to enjoy dancing to an entire song

You don’t need hundreds of moves or crazy combinations to impress on the dance floor! Learn the most common zouk moves and how to play with variations on moves you already know to spice up your dance and add variety.

Comfortable and clear leading and following

Zouk is probably most known for the magical “connection” feeling between partners. Learn the foundations of comfortable connection from day 1. Each class will reinforce dance frame basics for clear leading and responsive following.

Having Fun!

Brazilian zouk is a SOCIAL dance. The word “zouk” itself (which means “party” in french) comes from the Carribean Zouk music that lambada dancers adopted in the early 90s in Brazil. So come on and join the party!

Zouk Foundations (Level 1) Curriculum

Our goal for the Level 1 curriculum is to introduce students to the basics of zouk so they can confidently enjoy a social dance. Huzzah!

Techniques Covered in Level 1

  • Zouk timing and finding the zouk beat

  • Introduction to zouk’s dance “frame”

  • Traveling like a zouker: foot projection

  • Footwork and turn variations technique

  • How to be a comfortable lead and follow

  • Zouk social dancing etiquette

Moves Covered in Level 1

  • Passo Básico (“Basic Step”), Lateral (“Lateral Basic”), & Left Turn

    • If you’ve never taken a zouk class before, or if it’s been a while and you need a refresher - one of our instructors will walk you through these moves to get you comfortable with the basics!

  • Viradinha (“Little Turn”) and Lateral Variations

  • Floorcraft & Traveling on the Dance Floor

  • Soltinho (“Loose/Flowy” Move) to the Left

  • Bônus/Boomerang to the Right

  • Bônus/Boomerang to the Left

  • Lunge & Simple Turn Variations (Abertura)

  • Ochos (“Eights”)

  • Ioio (“Yo-yo”) and Simple Return / Free Spin

  • Starting & Stopping: Intro to Prepping Movements and Planta (“Seaweed”) in Place

  • Soltinho (“Loose/Flowy” Move) to the Left

  • Bônus/Boomerang to the Right

  • Bônus/Boomerang to the Left

  • Cuddle Lateral

  • Viradinha (“Little Turn”) and Lateral Variations

  • Ioio (“Yo-yo”) and Simple Return / Free Spin

  • Cuddle Body Rolls

  • Soltinho (“Loose/Flowy” Move) to the Left

  • Bônus/Boomerang to the Right

  • Bônus/Boomerang to the Left

You may notice some moves are repeated in the curriculum above - that is intentional! We consider these common moves (bolded above) foundational due to the technique they help teach, and therefor are important to practice multiple times. These are also moves we consider “graduation requirements” to being ready to move on to the Level 2 classes.

Included with Level 1 Classes: Free Practica After Class!

Zouk Foundations students are encouraged to stay after class for the free practica from 8:30pm-9:15pm to continue to practice their zouk dancing in a friendly and supportive environment. You can continue to practice what you learned in class this week, revisit moves from previous weeks, ask the instructors questions, or simply social dance! Our AmoZouk instructors are available during the practica to help troubleshoot things you’re stuck with, or offer tips if you’d like feedback on your dancing :)

This is a great opportunity for more 1-on-1 feedback time with the instructors!

“Graduation Requirements” To Move On To Level 2

Instructor approval is required to join the Level 2 “Beyond Foundations” classes. Let us know during one of the practicas (or another zouk social) if you’d like one of us instructors (Mike, Nate, Lydia or Dani) to assess whether you are ready to join the Level 2 classes.

Students who would like to join the Level 2 classes must demonstrate competency as a lead OR* a follow in the following:

Techniques

  • Basic dance frame (both open and closed)

  • Stepping on time and hearing the beat

  • Appropriate dance etiquette

  • Leaders: Leading by moving around (not just staying and place and leading with the arms)

  • Followers: Projecting the feet & delaying their follow

Moves (can’t remember these names? Here’s a blog post that has GIFs of all these moves to jog your memory!)

  • Linear basic

  • Lateral

  • Lateral > lunge > simple turn

  • Viradinha

  • Yo-yo (including free spin exit)

  • Soltinho to the left

  • Bonus to the left

*If you would like to join the Level 2 class as a lead AND a follow, you must be able to demonstrate all of the above in both roles.